Hundreds gather in rural Alabama town to put on live Nativity

Anna Brantley and Dawson Turberville, of Frisco City Holiness Church, depict Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem in the Frisco City live Nativity. (Photo courtesy Ricky Green)

FRISCO CITY, Alabama -- Even though Dell Walston, 75, has long been active at Frisco City United Methodist Church, she had not seen a live Nativity until last year, when she organized an extensive one.

Her own church was only part of it.

"We didn’t know what we were doing," she admitted with a laugh, thinking back to the Nativity, with 10 different scenes, that sprawled across a baseball field and drew over a thousand visitors.

"We were just trusting God," she said.

As the Monroe County town, on Alabama 21 about 15 minutes from Monroeville, prepares for this year’s Nativity, Walston believes it will be bigger still.

During this Christmas season, as many churches put out Nativity scenes, some with real people and animals, Frisco City’s is distinctive.

"Churches come together," said Mary Malone, a city council member whose church, Lilly Baptist, is one of the participants.

"Usually in small towns," said Malone, "everybody goes to their faith, to their small church, and nobody participates with the other."

Malone’s church is a historically African-American congregation.

"Both black and white churches come together to do something for the community," said Malone, whose church is responsible for station two — the angel appears to Mary.

Station one — the prophesy of Isaiah — is created by Goodway Assembly of God.

View full sizeHoliness Outreach Church in the 2010 Frisco City live Nativity (Photo courtesy Ricky Green)

Station three, Caesar decrees a census, has Frisco City Baptist in charge, while station four, Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem, is put on by Frisco City Holiness Church.

Hodges’ flock is responsible for the biggest station — the city of Bethlehem. Last year, Hodges said, the station had a donkey, a mule, goats, a pen of chickens, and 45 church members in historic costumes. Hodges hopes to have 75 members involved this season.

Visitors, Hodges explains, drive by the stations, listening to the story of the shepherds, the wise men and Jesus’ birth via a CD handed out at a welcome station.

The recorded version of the Biblical story is written by Ella Wayne Byrd, a Frisco City resident, and narrated by David Stewart of WMFC radio in Monroeville.

Dell Walston, Malone said, had the vision that brought the many parts together.

Walston says she was motivated by feelings of civic pride as well as religious conviction.

A resident of Frisco City since marrying Charles Walston 57 years ago, she had watched her adopted town deal with economic downturns, its once bustling downtown no longer vibrant.

The area has lost manufacturing plants — October’s unemployment rate was 14.7 percent in Monroe County — and the local high school and elementary school have been shuttered.

Information

WHAT: Christmas Comes Alive in Frisco City

WHERE: Frisco High School field

WHEN: Dec. 16 and 17, 6 to 8 p.m. nightly

"On Main Street," she said, "practically all the businesses closed."

Walston is a member of Revive Frisco City, Inc., an organization formed to improve the appearance and livelihood of the town, as she explains it.

"It seemed like we’d been asking people to help us with fundraising opportunities," she said.

She realized, "it’s time we gave something back to the community."

She partnered with the town council.

Ironically, the hardships of Biblical times, she said of the Nativity scenes, spoke to contemporary conditions in a way.

"It made you realize," she said, "what the people in that time were experiencing. You can identify with it to a lesser degree."

Hodges said that civic groups also help out with the Nativity, with time and products donated by area companies. He praised the help of the local law enforcement and fire department, too.

With so many activities available for families today, Hodges said, he was delighted to see the cars lining up to cruise through the Nativity.

At a time when so many people despair, he said, "we want to present them with a theology that there is hope."

As the visitors move through the stages, they arrive at number six — the angel brings good tidings to the shepherds — put on by Megargle United Methodist Church and Excel Methodist.

Mexia Baptist is responsible for station seven — the angels rejoice.

Eight — "O Holy Night" — Pleasant Hill Baptist.

Nine — the wise men — Shiloh Baptist and Morning Star Baptist.

The 10th and ultimate station, Christ is born, is the work of Walston’s church, Frisco City United Methodist.

"It’s rewarding" said Walston, "to see so many people come together to work on one project that will bring honor and glory to God."